personality

[ pur-suh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural per·son·al·i·ties.

1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others:

   He has a pleasing personality.

2. a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities:

   He is a curious personality.

3. Psychology.
   1. the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
   2. the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.
4. the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity.
5. the essential character of a person.
6. something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing:

   This house has a warm personality.

7. a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.
8. application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.
9. a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person:

   The political debate deteriorated into personalities.

personality

/ ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. psychol the sum total of all the behavioural and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognized as being unique
2. the distinctive character of a person that makes him socially attractive

   a salesman needs a lot of personality

3. a well-known person in a certain field, such as sport or entertainment
4. a remarkable person

   the old fellow is a real personality

5. the quality of being a unique person
6. the distinctive atmosphere of a place or situation
7. often plural a personal remark

personality

1. The pattern of feelings, thoughts, and activities that distinguishes one person from another.

Word History and Origins

Origin of personality¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English personalite, from Middle French, from Late Latin persōnālitās, from Latin persōnāl(is) personal + -itās -ity

Synonym Study

See character.

Example Sentences

And, especially when it comes to the middle, personality counts.

From The Daily Beast

“We won the war,” the Fox News personality proclaimed last week.

From The Daily Beast

“He was an absolutely gray and insignificant personality,” says Kurnosova.

From The Daily Beast

“I have a very disruptive personality for the industry,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

The sharply tailored blazer and weighty jewelry that cling to her body hints at the dominant personality she possesses.

From The Daily Beast

However, on reaching Spain, the magic of the Emperor's personality soon restored the vigour and prestige of the French arms.

From Project Gutenberg

It represents an engaging personality, in which vivacity and sensibility are distinctly indicated.

From Project Gutenberg

Jean Baptiste possessed great personality, and to be near one was to effect that one with it.

From Project Gutenberg

The new monarch, with his striking personality and good looks, at once captivated the hearts of his fickle Southern subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

She had expected personality, magnetism, as a compensation for nature's external economies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• charisma
• charm
• identity
• makeup
• nature
• psyche
• self
• temper
• temperament